by Melissa Chichester
It begins with small but powerful choices, and Heart Health Month is the perfect time to recommit to supporting your heart health.
Below are 7 simple steps you can take to support your heart daily and beyond.
The first step to loving your heart daily begins in the kitchen. The food we consume has a direct influence on the well-being of our cardiovascular system. Here are some nutrients that support heart health to add to your diet to get started:
>>7 Red Fruits and Vegetables to Add to Your Diet
A heart-healthy nutrition plan also requires knowing what foods to limit or avoid. The National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute recommends limiting these foods:
Need help getting started? Schedule a free 20-minute call with a Puritan’s Pride Nutrition Coach.
Exercise promotes health for not only your heart but your entire body. Regular physical activity promotes energy, vitality, and strength. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a heart-pumping run, or a calming yoga session, the key lies in finding activities that bring joy and can be sustained consistently. Find something you love and get moving! You don’t have to run marathons to reap the benefits of exercise. Even a gentle daily walk is beneficial.
Taking intentional steps to manage stress is not a luxury but a crucial investment in your health and well-being. Chronic stress can have detrimental impacts on wellness. Incorporate stress management techniques into your daily life, whether it is yoga, meditation, going out for a daily nature walk, or even 10 minutes of stretching in the morning or before bed. find something that relaxes you and helps you feel calm.
>>How to Cope with the Effects of Stress
Knowing your family’s heart history is a compass that guides your journey toward heart health. It provides insights into potential risks and genetic predispositions. Understanding the cardiovascular health of our relatives allows us to make informed decisions about lifestyle choices, screenings, and preventive measures. So if you don’t know about your family history, ask a parent, grandparent, or another relative to get information that will empower you.
Regular heart screenings are a proactive and essential step toward maintaining optimal cardiovascular health. These screenings serve as a diagnostic window, allowing healthcare professionals to assess the performance of your heart and detect potential issues early on. Regular check-ups, including blood pressure measurements, cholesterol tests, and electrocardiograms, provide valuable insights into our heart’s functioning and help identify risk factors that might lead to more serious conditions.
>>Housekeeping Your Heart Health
Knowing the signs of a potential heart problem allows you to seek timely medical assistance. Regular self-awareness and a proactive mindset toward recognizing signs of trouble allow you to take action.
To keep this in your line of sight daily, print out heart health warning signs and put them somewhere you can see them and access them. In addition, keep essential healthcare and emergency contact phone numbers in your smartphone and written down where they are easily accessible.
Although you likely won’t talk to your doctor every day, it’s important to engage in open and honest conversations with your doctor. Your healthcare provider is not just a medical professional but a partner in your wellness journey. Discussing your family’s heart history, lifestyle choices, and any concerns or symptoms you may be experiencing allows your doctor to tailor their advice and recommendations to your unique situation. Being transparent and communicative allows your doctor to make better suggestions so you can make informed decisions.
In the journey of heart health, every daily choice matters. Making healthy choices and taking action to love your heart allows you to take meaningful steps toward a healthier you.
